Water Conservation Guidelines Contents Irrigation System Operation... 2 Irrigation System Maintenance... 3 Landscape Area Maintenance... 3 Addendum A... 4 Stake Building Specialists for Watering Conservation (Letter)... 4 Addendum B... 6 Utah Watering Chart... 6 O&M-MF-0008 Rev A Date Revised: 10 March 2008 Page 1 of 6
Water Conservation Guidelines Irrigation System Operation Please follow the watering restrictions mandated by your local jurisdiction, or the following guidelines, whichever are most restrictive. Water deeply and infrequently. Apply ½ inch of water per application. The time will vary depending upon the type of sprinkler and design. Use the catch can measuring method to verify application amounts. Use the screwdriver test or similar methods to determine the frequency of watering required. Lawn areas should be moist to 6 inches deep. Allow at least three days between watering periods during the hottest months. Adjust watering times according to the site conditions. For example, shady areas will not need to be watered as often as sunny areas and hot slopes may require more water per application. Allow surface to dry out between watering periods. For shrub areas, you should double the number of days between watering periods. The watering duration should be increased to apply ¾ to 1 of water per application or enough water to moisten soil at least 12 inches deep. Native and drought tolerant shrubs should be watered less frequently. Watering should not be done between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. For landscape areas with a lot of water run-off or standing water, the Cycle and Soak setting on your controller should be used. Example: If you normally water an area for 20 minutes and water begins to run off a hill or puddle in a flat area after 5 minutes of watering, set the controller on Cycle and Soak and set the Cycle to run that valve for 5 minutes. Then, set the Soak time for 30 minutes between cycles. The controller will now turn the water on 4 times for a total of 20 minutes during that watering period (20min./5min. = 4 cycles). A rain/moisture shut-off device should be purchased and installed on all controllers. The cost of this device should be less than $35. The device should be set to 1/8 of moisture for shut-off to occur. The following are approved devices: Rainbird RSD Series Rain Sensor Toro 850-74 Rain Switch Hunter Mini-Clik O&M-MF-0008 Rev A Date Revised: 10 March 2008 Page 2 of 6
Irrigation System Maintenance Broken system parts should be fixed immediately or the water should be turned off in that location until they can be fixed. The system should be adjusted to prevent overspray onto roads, parking areas, or sidewalks. Valve timing should be adjusted for large areas that are frequently too wet or too dry. Sprinkler heads should be added or adjusted for small isolated areas that are frequently too wet or too dry. Landscape Area Maintenance The lawn areas should be aerated at least once annually. Use slow release fertilizers. Apply light applications only as needed to maintain health. A heavier application in the late fall is recommended. Keep lawns mowed at their proper height. Bluegrass, fescue, and St. Augustine grass areas should be kept mowed to a height of 2-1/2 to 3. Zoysia grass should be kept mowed to a 2 height. Bermuda grass should be kept mowed to 1 height. In shrub areas, 2 to 3 bark or rock top dressing mulch should be maintained. Spraying for weeds and pests, pruning, and other landscape services should continue as scheduled. Direct any questions regarding specific site issues or concerns to Field Technical Support Services at 801-240-4416 or 801-240-6894. O&M-MF-0008 Rev A Date Revised: 10 March 2008 Page 3 of 6
Addendum A Stake Building Specialists for Watering Conservation (Letter) O&M-MF-0008 Rev A Date Revised: 10 March 2008 Page 4 of 6
O&M-MF-0008 Rev A Date Revised: 10 March 2008 Page 5 of 6
Addendum B Utah Watering Chart rthern and Central Utah Watering Chart Mar. Apr. May June Aug. Sept. Oct. v. 20 min. 4 days 20 min. 3 days 20 min. 6 days Southern Utah (St. George, Moab, and other low desert areas)* Mar. Apr. May June Aug. Sept. Oct. v. 7 days 5 days 4 days 3 days 5 days 7 days 10 days *Southern Utah requires more time per watering because of higher evapotransporation rates. O&M-MF-0008 Rev A Date Revised: 10 March 2008 Page 6 of 6